From Vietnam to Melbourne: the inaugural ACMI + RMIT Vietnam Games Prize

Two emerging game designers from RMIT Vietnam have experienced Melbourne's thriving games industry firsthand, as recipients of a new initiative between ACMI and RMIT.

For RMIT Vietnam students Thao Cao Uyen and Quyen Nguyen, October brought an opportunity to take their creative ambitions beyond the classroom and into the heart of Australia's games industry.

The pair attended Melbourne International Games Week, held from 2 to 11 October, after being selected as the first recipients of the ACMI + RMIT Vietnam Games Prize. 

Introduced in 2025–26, the initiative extends the existing partnership between RMIT University and ACMI and the long-standing ACMI + RMIT Games Prize awarded to Melbourne-based games students. 

We’re delighted to have launched the very first ACMI + RMIT Vietnam Games Prize, expanding the ways we champion young and emerging talent through our partnership beyond Australia and into our region.

"Connecting students with industry networks and events through Melbourne International Games Week is exactly what our work with RMIT is all about: outward looking, focused on real impact, and supercharging the next generation of creative leaders, not just here in Victoria, but across the globe." said Seb Chan, Director and CEO of ACMI.

Painted wolf’s head surrounded by clay figures, with the caption “The wolf was feeling abandoned, he just wanted a family.

Thao Cao Uyen's project 'Dance of the Flock'.

Thao and Quyen, graduating students from RMIT Vietnam's Bachelor of Design (Games), were recognised for their respective games, with both projects demonstrating the creative potential of games as a medium for artistic expression and storytelling. 

Melbourne International Games Week is the major event on Australia’s games industry calendar. This year’s program brought together a range of experiences, from the industry-focused Games Connect Asia Pacific conference and Games for Change Summit to independent games showcase Freeplay: Parallels and the large-scale PAX Aus convention. 

Thao Cao Uyen and Quyen Nguyen taking a selfie at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Thao Cao Uyen and Quyen Nguyen attending PAX Aus.

During their Melbourne visit, Thao and Quyen were given access to ACMI X, the creative coworking community at ACMI, giving them an opportunity to connect with practitioners working across games, screen culture and creative technology.  

The students' itinerary also included time at RMIT's Melbourne City campus, where they took part in activities with the RMIT School of Design's Master of Animation, Games and Interactivity program. 

Together, these experiences offered a broader view of the games industry, from additional education options, creative experimentation and independent development to professional networks and the opportunities available to emerging designers. 

Rock on a stone pillar lit by a beam of blue light in a dark, purple-toned room.

Quyen Nguyen's project 'D'Fishy Final's'.

The inaugural Vietnam Games Prize represents another opportunity for RMIT and ACMI to support emerging creative talent while strengthening connections between Australia and Asia-Pacific games communities. 

The initiative has been an enormous success in recognising emerging talent, creating opportunities for students to engage directly with industry professionals, independent developers and Australia's creative community.

said Naomi Stead, Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Engagement from the College of Design and Social Context.

For Thao and Quyen, the prize was an opportunity not only to celebrate their achievements, but to experience the wider industry they are preparing to enter. 

“We were deeply honoured to be given this opportunity. Thank you so much for having us, and I hope to come back as a grad student at RMIT in Melbourne in the near future!” said Quyen. 

28 October 2026

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